Canadian passport
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Canadian passports are issued to citizens of Canada for the purpose of international travel. Besides serving as proof of Canadian citizenship, they facilitate the process of securing assistance from Canadian consular officials abroad, if needed. In legal theory all passports are issued by the Canadian Monarch, but in practice responsibility for their issuance lies with Passport Canada, a Special Operating Agency of Foreign Affairs Canada, though each passport does note that it is issued in the Queen's name (see Passport note). For citizens abroad, passport applications are forwarded back to a passport centre by the local embassies, high commissions or consulates. Canadian passports are valid for five years, and are not renewable. One must apply for a new passport after their original has expired.
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[edit] History
The first Canadian passports were issued in 1862 following the outbreak of the American Civil War when the United States demanded more secure identification from Canadians wishing to cross the border. They took the form of a "Letter of Request" from the Governor General.
In 1915 Canadian passports were first issued in the British format, a ten section single sheet folder.
The Canadian passport was first issued in its modern booklet form in 1921. At the time Canadians were British subjects and Canada shared a common nationality code with the United Kingdom. (See History of British nationality law). Canadian passports were issued to British subjects resident in or connected with Canada.
The Canadian Citizenship Act 1946 created the status of Canadian citizen from January 1, 1947. From July, 1948, Canadian passports were issued to Canadian citizens only.[1]
As of January 24, 2007, legislation passed by the US Congress requires Canadians traveling to the US by air to carry a valid Canadian passport. Land and sea crossings, however, are not affected by this ruling; a separate ruling is expected to adopt similar passport requirements by about 2009.
[edit] Types of passports
Before 1947, there were two types of passports:
Today, Canadian passports types include:
- Regular Passport (navy cover) - occasional travel, such as vacations and business trips (24 pages)
- Frequent Traveller Passport (navy cover) - frequent travellers, such as business people (48 pages). These cost slightly more than a regular passport; $5 more for adults, $2 for children.
- Diplomatic Passport (maroon cover) - Canadian diplomats, top ranking government officials, diplomatic couriers, private citizens nominated as official delegates
- Special Passport (green cover) - people representing the Canadian government on official business
- Emergency Passport (1 page) - Emergency passports are one-use documents issued to Canadians for direct return to Canada or to another Canadian mission where full passport services may be obtained.
- Temporary Passport (White Cover) - issued on behalf of Passport Canada to Canadians with an urgent and proven need for an interim passport
[edit] Physical appearance
Canadian passports are deep navy blue, with the Royal Arms of Canada emblazoned in the centre of the front cover. The word "PASSPORT•PASSEPORT" (the latter being the French spelling) is inscribed below the coat of arms, and "CANADA" above. The standard passport contains 24 pages, but it can be issued in a 48 page format upon request for an additional fee.
New security features similar to those on banknotes have been added with increasing frequency since 2001. Microprinting, holographic images, UV-visible imaging, watermarks and other details have been implemented, particularly on the photo page. As well, the photo is now digitally printed directly on the paper (in both standard and UV-reactive ink); previously, the actual photo had been laminated inside the document.
[edit] Passport note
Most passports contain a note from the issuing state that is addressed to the authorities of all other states, identifying the bearer as a citizen of that state and requesting that they be allowed to pass and be treated according to international norms. The note inside of Canadian passports states:
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- The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada requests, in the name of Her Majesty the Queen, all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance and to afford the bearer such assistance and protection as may be necessary.
On the inside of the back cover of recently issued passports in 2007, a logo is printed for the defunct federal department of "Foreign Affairs Canada." This is a clear printing error on the part of Passport Canada because the once separate Departments of Foreign Affairs and International Trade were re-merged into the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade following the election of the Conservative Party in 2006. The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade was divided into the departments of "Foreign Affairs" and "International Trade" during the tenure of Prime Minister Paul Martin.
[edit] Languages
The textual portions of Canadian passports are in both English and French, the official languages of Canada.
